STRUTHERS — Struthers City Schools cut the ribbon on the district’s new 11,000-square-foot transportation facility Friday.

According to a district news release, the garage, which houses 12 buses and a district van, is a major upgrade from the old, uncovered parking lot and will help to extend the life of the district’s buses and reduce costs by minimizing exposure to weather so that the buses require less maintenance.

Superintendent Peter Pirone and district Treasurer Ryan Cene said the final numbers are coming in, but the project was budgeted at $1.7 million. Pirone said the final cost likely will be slightly higher because of an underground retention pond that had to be added during construction. Pirone said savings in other areas of the project helped offset the cost and stay close to the targeted budget.

The news release states the project was paid for through grants, a lease-purchase agreement, and some local funding.

The facility was originally bid in November 2022, and the district broke ground in early May.

In addition to vehicle storage, the facility includes a new office for the district’s transportation supervisor and a large conference room for professional development workshops.

Dave Herbert Construction of Salem led the project, and the facility was designed by Tom Madej of Team 8e Architecture in Canfield.

Madej was present at the ribbon cutting, along with Cene, Pirone, and several members of the Struthers Board of Education and transportation team.

The district is planning a spring open house to show off the new facility to the community.